CultureAugust 30, 2026
entrainment
en-TRAIN-ment
Definition
The process by which independent rhythmic systems or biological processes synchronize with one another to match a common frequency or timing.
Etymology
Derived from the French word 'entraîner' (to drag or pull along), it entered English to describe the physical 'training' or dragging along of one body by another, later being adopted by science to describe the synchronization of oscillators.
In the news
In the article, entrainment describes how the brains of audience members and musicians synchronize their biological responses, such as breathing and heart rate, during the silence before a performance. This collective alignment creates a shared state of readiness and emotional connection.
How community music rewires us for connection.
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today